Hens all using 1 nest box.

[Mr Clean Kansas]

I have 10 hens and 2 roosters in a 5 x 10 chicken coop. All 10 hens lay eggs only in 1 nest box. Every morning I let the girls out and they all go out to scratch around except 1 hen that goes to this nest box. Throughout the morning. The hens all take turns using this same box. They kind of hang around the coop door until it is their turn. After they have laid their egg, they are off to scratch and free range. By early afternoon there are 6 to 9 eggs all in the same box. There are 6 black copper marans, 3 speckled Sussex and 1 olive egger. The 2 roos are black copper marans. I have raised chickens for 45 years and never witnessed this type of behavior. Anyone else experienced this or have any ideas.

 

[TooCheep]

I've seen them primarily use one box, but not exclusively. I presume you've checked the other boxes and there are no problems with them? You've changed the nesting material?

 

[slordaz]

hens can be finicky is all I can say, are they all made the same way, with same amount and kind of bedding , I assume so but never know I had a friend and each one she did different lol.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I've heard it happens ...

 

[slordaz]

just be glad ya don't have 24 all trying to use the same one lol, I have 7 and they all want to go broody and use the same spot so it's a scream fest here right now and don't have enough brooder boxes for that many at once lol

 

[rosemarythyme]

Not that unusual for them to prefer one box. I have 3 nest boxes and have gotten eggs in all 3 (my girls don't seem to want to wait in line), but one box definitely sees the lion's share of the action.

 

[ChickNanny13]

The most I've had at once were 5 Wyandottes, they never waited ... All 5 could be found in the "nest box". I had 2 but everyone wanted this one .... Have had 4 BO in it at once, they had 2 but all wanted this one ... Both times I gave up and removed the 2nd.

 

[333113]

Yes, I have a pen with one Houdan hen, four Ameraucanas and one Easter egger. They all used to lay in the same box, even though I had two boxes in there. I took out the second box and gave it to another cage.
Then last May I was repairing the top of the cage, and accidentally left the Rubbermaid footstool in the cage. Now they ignore the box, and all lay under the footstool.
Hey, the footstool was cheaper, $1 at Goodwill.

 

[aart]

I have raised chickens for 45 years and never witnessed this type of behavior. Anyone else experienced this or have any ideas.

Really?! Never in 45 years!?
Put fake eggs in the other nests.

 

[Chickassan]

Not uncommon at all to find three or four hens piled in the same box here with a couple more waiting outside.
The only time there is only one bird is when the rooster is exploring his girly side, man needs his solitude.